One Day Trip in Dwarka

After Somnath, our next destination was Lord Krishna’s ancient city Dwarka at a distance of 240 KMs. We opted for a Government Bus at 12:40 PM which made us reach Dwarkadish’s destination in approximately 6 hours. There are trains from Veraval to Dwarka too. The bus passes by the hinterlands and coastal towns of Gujarat in the Saurashtra region via NH51. You can feel the heartland observing the people, their apparel, their homes and shops, their talking style, and their simple life. Mahatma Gandhi’s birthplace Porbandar is one of the stoppages too.

In Dwarka district, there are many 3 Star Hotels, Budget Hotels, Dharamshalas, and corporate accommodations. You can opt for the ones as per your needs, budget, and purpose. On our way, we had booked a non-ac room at Gomti riverbank at a walking distance from the main Pilgrimage temple for just 600 bucks for a night.

As you enter Dwarka, you will feel the old-world charm despite the modern amenities around. There are some artworks on certain walls eulogizing the beloved Lord Krishna. As per Hindu history after leaving Mathura, Lord Krishna shifted to Dwarka. We visited the main pilgrimage site temple around 6.30 PM when the aarti ritual was going on. I would suggest you be cautious of the sages here.

We have to submit our bags and cell phones at a counter. Then enter the highly esteemed site – Shree Dwarkadhish’s Jagat Temple. Being there a week before Diwali, we were lucky not to face much crowd and easily get the darshan. We spent some time on the premises admiring the temple, the lord, and the cultural history. In the evening after aarti, there is food arranged in the form of prasad who wish to have.

There is Sudama Setu, a pedestrian bridge where you to purchase a 10rs ticket and you can walk upon the Gomti river. It’s a tribute to Lord Krishna and a Brahmin named Sudama friendship.

People have a bath in the Gomti river ghat as a religious ritual. I didn’t volunteer for it. You can see some types of fish passing by. It meets the Arabian Sea at a short distance.

From my room, I could see the Gomti river passing by the ghat, the other side of the bank, Sudama Setu on the left which was illuminated with LED lights, and Light House and the Arabian Sea on the right side.

The water here is too brine and hard. Even while taking a shower, you can feel the harshness. Highly recommended to have mineral water bottles with you.

There are multiple cuisines options across the Dev-bhumi till 11 PM. Gujarati food, South Indian dishes, Punjabi Food, and a few others. I loved the Kathiyavadi cuisine Sev Tamatar sabzi along with Bajra no Rotla. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Gujarat for the first time.

After dinner, we spent a gala time at a shore where the Gomti River meets the Arabian Sea. You can see the Light House Tower at a distance. Also, the religious Hindu flag proudly flurrying and the shikhara of the main Dwarkadhish Temple.

If you are in Dwarka, visiting Rukmani Devi temple is a must which is dedicated to the wife of Shree Krishna. In the main market area, a temple is dedicated to Saint Mirabai. Swami Narayan Temple and the Iskcon Temple attract high footfalls too. You can visit Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple located at the shore of the sea.

At a distance of around 20KMs from the main city is a town named Samlasar popular for gopi-chandan and Gopi Talav (lake). As per the legend, all the Gopis of Mathura and Gokul visited this place to meet Lord Krishna one last time on Sharad Purnima. The last raas-leela took place here where all the Gopis danced for the last time for and with their beloved Kanha (who was now Dwarkadhish) and surrendered their mortal body to the soil and spiritually connected with the Divine and attained moksha. They turned into yellow sand and hence it is called Gopi-Chandan. This place also has Arjun Kund (pond) which once upon a time Arjun visited after the epic Kurukshetra war that is called Mahabharata.

Around 20 KMs distance from main Dwarka city is one of the major Jyotirlinga named Nageshwar. If you are here and have some time, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity. For Gopi Talav this spot is at 5 KMs distance.

Bet Dwarka in Okha is at a distance of 35 km from Dwarka city. It is very close to Okha railway station. To visit the Bet Dwarka you need to commute through boats available there. Flyover Construction is undergoing. The original place submerged eons ago. One of the prime attractions is the Dwarkadhish Temple where Lord Krishna’s icon is plated in gold that Goddess Rukmani Devi created.

About Devesh Purohit:

Devesh Purohit is a Mumbai-based 7-year experienced PR Practitioner. He likes traveling and sharing his navigation experiences.